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Since 2023, there have been 385 wildfires sparked by live-fire military training across the UK countryside, with unexploded shells posing a risk to firefighting efforts. Fire crews in North Yorkshire faced challenges as they battled a moorland blaze this month, encountering bombs and tank shells from training exercises dating back to World War II. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported a total of 439 wildfires on their land from January 2023 to last month, with the majority directly linked to army manoeuvres.
Locals living near recent fire sites criticized the MoD for not doing enough to prevent wildfires, suggesting a ban on live fire training during the driest months. The causes of wildfires in the countryside vary, from discarded cigarettes to deliberate arson, exacerbated by dry conditions and abundant vegetation. Data disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act revealed 1,178 wildfires tied to present-day MoD training sites since 2020, with over 80 fires this year occurring in “Range Danger Areas.”
Residents near Salisbury Plain, where wildfires have been frequent, voiced concerns about the smoke pollution impacting their health and environment. Neil Lockhart, an asthma sufferer, highlighted the challenges posed by the smoke from fires left to burn. Farmers and locals in Wiltshire expressed worries about the wildfires’ effects on the landscape and wildlife, calling for stricter regulations from the MoD to address the issue proactively.
Aside from live military training causing fires, the presence of old unexploded ordnance from past maneuvers complicates firefighting efforts. A recent fire in Langdale Moor experienced explosions from WWII-era bombs, prompting calls for the MoD to clear up munitions left on the moors to prevent such incidents. The MoD emphasized their vigilance in monitoring fire risks and restricting ordnance use during periods of heightened wildfire danger, urging the public to be aware of the risks associated with military land access
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